The outgoing president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, wrote to colleagues saying \"best wishes for happy holidays, joy and peace\" in a festive card. For the second consecutive year, it failed to mention the seminal Christian holiday - leading to claims the EU Parliament is obsessed with political correctness.<\/p>\n
The news came just weeks after the bloc was again accused of cancelling Christmas when a leaked internal document asked for the word not to be used.<\/p>\n
It also said not to use the name Mary or John because they are Christian or to use the expression \"ladies and gentlemen\" before a conference.<\/p>\n
The EU Commissions file on inclusive communication was subsequently withdrawn after sparking an outcry amid accusations of cancel culture and political correctness.<\/p>\n
Mr Sassolis card drew equal condemnation.<\/p>\n
READ MORE:Russia launches 'first stage of invasion' with propaganda strikes<\/p>\n
Former EU Commissioner Dacian Ciolos wrote: \"I don't need the Commission to tell me if I can say 'Merry Christmas'.\"<\/p>\n
Others accused the supposedly progressive left of being anything but inclusive with its politically correct language.<\/p>\n
German MEP Manfred Weber, president of the EPP group, raged: \"Citizens have asked themselves what is the reason for formulating guidelines of this kind.<\/p>\n
For us, having a creed is important. Religion should not be pushed only into the private sphere.<\/p>\n
The DNA of Europe is Christian and two-thirds of citizens consider themselves Christians.<\/p>\n
The EU has a long history of political correctness.<\/p>\n
In 2012, it sparked fury with an abstract light installation that replaced the traditional Christmas tree in the centre of Brussels.<\/p>\n
Critics accused officials of opting for the installation for fear of offending non-Christians.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people signed a petition opposing it and it was later removed just days after Christmas over fears of vandalism.<\/p>\n
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega<\/p>\n
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We must save it! Outcry as EU chief 'cancels' Christmas amid fears it could offend - Daily Express<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The outgoing president of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, wrote to colleagues saying \"best wishes for happy holidays, joy and peace\" in a festive card. For the second consecutive year, it failed to mention the seminal Christian holiday - leading to claims the EU Parliament is obsessed with political correctness Continue reading